Episode 106: Conversation with Aaron Gunsaulus (Part 2)
https://youtu.be/JYUd9o-ys5A
Summary of Episode
At Synod 2022, it became clear that there is a strong division in the Christian Reformed Church on the issue of human sexuality. Despite this, it was still possible to have meaningful conversations with people who disagreed with each other, showing that it is possible to still be friends even when there is disagreement. As the church moves forward to Synod 2023, it is important to continue to press forward with the decisions made in 2022, anticipating pushback and refusal to comply and not be discouraged by accusations of hatred or mean-spiritedness.
Aaron has learned that he loves his denomination and it is worth fighting for. He is motivated by the purity of Christ's church and the holiness of sound doctrine. He believes that there are times when we need to defend and contend for the faith and this is not a time to flinch. He is reminded of Martin Luther's quote that if we do not defend the truth of God, we are not confessing Christ. He compares the fight to defending a city and that the enemy is attacking the weak point. He encourages everyone to fight and not flinch.
We discuss the importance of reformation and the need to address the issues that come our way. It is not about creating anything new but restoring the foundations of who we are according to God's word. We emphasize the importance of understanding the bad news of sin and the need for redemption, as well as the seriousness of sin and the authority of God's word. We need to be teachable and moldable by the word of God.
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 7 remind us that there is a godly grief that leads to repentance and salvation and a worldly grief that leads to death. The church should not shy away from confronting people with sin, as this is a necessary part of leading them to the gospel. Penn and Teller's interview serves as a reminder that love and confrontation with sin are not mutually exclusive. We should fight for the church, as it is part of Christ's bride, even when it gets exhausting and frustrating.